Developed by local builders, Laois Property Company, this attractive development comprises just 20 homes laid out in four small rows, and surrounded by plenty of open green space.

Built and ready to go, these homes are aimed at a mix of first-time buyers and young families looking for decentsized homes with gardens.

A pretty heritage town on the main Dublin to Cork Road, Abbeyleix has good local amenities including schools, churches, restaurants, bank, post office and shops. The town is 15 minutes from the motorway and is within easy driving distance of the larger towns of Portlaoise, Kilkenny and Carlow.

Designed by local architect Liam Ryan, homes at Ashbrook are traditional in design, reflecting many of the features of the 19th-century architecture around the town. Houses have deep pitched roofs, overhanging porches, pretty dormer windows at first floor level and box bay windows downstairs.

Larger than average, these three-beds have a floor area of 131sq m (1,410sq ft), and accommodation comprises a hall, guest wc, livingroom, kitchen cum diningroom, utility room, three double bedrooms, one en suite and the main bathroom.

Standard features include oil-fired central heating, solid wood fitted kitchens, fireplaces in livingroom, seeded front and back gardens, and patio doors opening out from the kitchen/ diningroom.

Price: three-bed semis from 298,000 Agent: Fintan Dunne 057 87 30603